Betty Jeanne Bontrager
April 3, 1939 — April 12, 2023
Betty Jeanne Bontrager, 84, of Walker, IA, gained her heavenly wings on 4/12/2023 after a short battle with dementia.
Betty was born on April 3, 1939, to Harry and Ida Philoma (Bentley) Johnson in Independence, IA. After graduating from Quasqueton High School, Betty went on work at Quaker Oats where she met her husband, Woodrow (Woodie) Bontrager. In 1960, Betty and Woodie moved to Las Vegas, where they married and raised their children before moving back home to Iowa in November of 1970.
The majority of Betty’s career was spent as an administrative assistant for the engineering department at Link-Belt Speeder/FMC Corporation. This career led the couple to move to Lexington, KY in 1985. While living in KY, Betty went back to college to receive an associate’s degree in accounting at Sullivan University, graduating with a 4.0 (a fact she would be sure you knew!). Betty and Woodie returned to Iowa in 1999 and enjoyed their retirement years together until his passing in 2012.
Betty’s biggest passion was tending to her flower gardens, and she could always be found pulling weeds or planting seeds whenever the sun was shining. She gathered new plants each time she went to the store, claiming they “jumped in her cart”! Her love of the flowers and nature spilled over to all she met. In the colder months, Betty could be found quilting. She loved to go on sewing retreats, visiting with, and being inspired by other quilter friends. She also loved fishing in Minnesota and searching for seashells on Sanibel Island.
She was a member of the Walker United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary and the East Iowa Heirloom Quilters.
Betty is survived by her children, Debra Ruffin (Hawaii), Karen (Mike) Bullard (Central City, IA) and Russell (Tami) Bontrager (Bosque Farms, NM) and her grandchildren Caleb (Monica) Bullard (Anamosa, IA) and Lauren Bullard (East Lansing, MI). She is also survived by her sister Linda Johnson (Wichita, KS), her brother Clifford Dean Johnson (Stockbridge, GA), many nieces and nephews and her special furry pal Daisy Mae “Doggy”.
She was preceded in death by her husband Woodie, her parents, and siblings Beverly Clinton, Diana Hovart, Harry Burl Johnson, and Frank Johnson.
Betty Jeanne was a spitfire, intelligent, and caring woman who will be remembered with great fondness.
Visitation and Services will be held at Walker United Methodist Church on Tuesday, April 18 at 10:00 AM. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Central City is assisting the family.
Betty was born on April 3, 1939, to Harry and Ida Philoma (Bentley) Johnson in Independence, IA. After graduating from Quasqueton High School, Betty went on work at Quaker Oats where she met her husband, Woodrow (Woodie) Bontrager. In 1960, Betty and Woodie moved to Las Vegas, where they married and raised their children before moving back home to Iowa in November of 1970.
The majority of Betty’s career was spent as an administrative assistant for the engineering department at Link-Belt Speeder/FMC Corporation. This career led the couple to move to Lexington, KY in 1985. While living in KY, Betty went back to college to receive an associate’s degree in accounting at Sullivan University, graduating with a 4.0 (a fact she would be sure you knew!). Betty and Woodie returned to Iowa in 1999 and enjoyed their retirement years together until his passing in 2012.
Betty’s biggest passion was tending to her flower gardens, and she could always be found pulling weeds or planting seeds whenever the sun was shining. She gathered new plants each time she went to the store, claiming they “jumped in her cart”! Her love of the flowers and nature spilled over to all she met. In the colder months, Betty could be found quilting. She loved to go on sewing retreats, visiting with, and being inspired by other quilter friends. She also loved fishing in Minnesota and searching for seashells on Sanibel Island.
She was a member of the Walker United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary and the East Iowa Heirloom Quilters.
Betty is survived by her children, Debra Ruffin (Hawaii), Karen (Mike) Bullard (Central City, IA) and Russell (Tami) Bontrager (Bosque Farms, NM) and her grandchildren Caleb (Monica) Bullard (Anamosa, IA) and Lauren Bullard (East Lansing, MI). She is also survived by her sister Linda Johnson (Wichita, KS), her brother Clifford Dean Johnson (Stockbridge, GA), many nieces and nephews and her special furry pal Daisy Mae “Doggy”.
She was preceded in death by her husband Woodie, her parents, and siblings Beverly Clinton, Diana Hovart, Harry Burl Johnson, and Frank Johnson.
Betty Jeanne was a spitfire, intelligent, and caring woman who will be remembered with great fondness.
Visitation and Services will be held at Walker United Methodist Church on Tuesday, April 18 at 10:00 AM. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Central City is assisting the family.
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